GB/GBC Foam inserts for UGC and SeymoreOnline cases

[videogametrader]

Great idea I'm soo gonna use my 20 or so 8 DPC's to use with my gamegear games this way.  Good call.

I looked at getting the 8 disc cases but i think the spines were bigger.

So maybe i will glue one of the sleeves to the left side for the manual and glue the other sleeve to the right side for the cart. That could work.

8-disc & 6-disc poly cases are identical in physical size. Only difference is a extra sleeve on the inside 

 

[videogametrader]

Ok,

So i think i have a good design for the case. I glued (using double sided tacky line roll on the right and Elmers Double Sided tape on the left - i'm experimenting with adhesives) sleeves on the left and right. On the left i cut the sleeve to make it easier to place the manual.



What do you think? Any other ideas to make this better? At this point i think i am going to forgo the foam.

Sound off!

[Dravenae]

Ok,

So i think i have a good design for the case. I glued (using double sided tacky line roll on the right and Elmers Double Sided tape on the left - i'm experimenting with adhesives) sleeves on the left and right. On the left i cut the sleeve to make it easier to place the manual.



What do you think? Any other ideas to make this better? At this point i think i am going to forgo the foam.

Sound off!

Its pretty cool man. The only thing I would say is, use a full sleeve for the manual and revert back to your foam idea for the cartridge itself. That's just my two cents, but other than that man, not bad! Not bad at all.

[videogametrader]

Its pretty cool man. The only thing I would say is, use a full sleeve for the manual and revert back to your foam idea for the cartridge itself. That's just my two cents, but other than that man, not bad! Not bad at all.

I actually reversed where i put the cart and manual. The cart was difficult to get in the sleeve on the right with it being glued down. But the manual slid in easy. It was also easier to place the cart on the left. Gluing the sleeve down really makes the cartridge fit nice and snug.

I am still going to prototype the foam part but i still am concerned about the cost.

Any other comments from the peanut gallery?

[Seymor Onion]

I drew some concept art on a notepad, for a design for the foam.
It will support a nice snug fit for a single GB/GBC Cart and/or single GBA Cart,
and only require one mold to make the foam.
I'll scan it in, and upload it in a few minutes. 

[Seymor Onion]

Disclaimer: I can't draw a straight line, freehand, to save my life.


The GBA Cart Shape should be the basis for the main pre-cut-out area.

Just above it should be a piece of foam that's still connected to the main foam, at three points.
The three still-connected points are roughly indicated by the three arrows.
The end-user could use a pair of scissors to snip the three points, freeing that piece of foam, and remove it from the case, so that GB/GBC carts will fit.

You might want to also put a half-circle cutout on one side of the GBA Cart Area,
so people can get a finger in there, to leverage out the game cart.

You probably already have your own design in mind; this is only a suggestion.  

EDITED TO ADD:
Here's another idea.
This one has four cut-out points, instead of 3, and has the
half-circle cutouts, to make it easier to get the games out.

[Dravenae]

Disclaimer: I can't draw a straight line, freehand, to save my life.


The GBA Cart Shape should be the basis for the main pre-cut-out area.

Just above it should be a piece of foam that's still connected to the main foam, at three points.
The three still-connected points are roughly indicated by the three arrows.
The end-user could use a pair of scissors to snip the three points, freeing that piece of foam, and remove it from the case, so that GB/GBC carts will fit.

You might want to also put a half-circle cutout on one side of the GBA Cart Area,
so people can get a finger in there, to leverage out the game cart.

You probably already have your own design in mind; this is only a suggestion.  

EDITED TO ADD:
Here's another idea.
This one has four cut-out points, instead of 3, and has the
half-circle cutouts, to make it easier to get the games out.

This. Do this.

Keep the sleeve idea for the manual, using the full sleeve on the left side of the case, then put the foam on the right side of the case, using a similar template/idea as Seymor Onion detailed. Maybe foam will be too delicate and pliable, maybe try a stiff (non-abrasive) sponge.

EDIT: In fact, if you went with this idea, your could optimize the binder in the case, and get rid of having to glue the sleeves down. If you can move the sleeve around, it means you don't have to bend the manual at all when inserting or removing it from the sleeve. Having the sleeve glued down could be a tad finicky when inserting or removing the manual. Again just my two cents.

[Seymor Onion]

Another idea, if you still want to go with gluing the Manual Sleeve in, since you are probably also going to glue the foam in too, is to cut off the part/side of the sleeve that has the holes in it (but not the pocket's seam).

Then you could put the sleeve in sideways (Rotate clockwise, 90 degrees) so that the opening in the Sleeve, for the Manual, faces the Spine of the case.
Unfortunately, this'll prolly create extra work; you might need to cut out the rings on the spine, so they won't interfere with getting the manual in and out; I'm not sure.

[videogametrader]

Disclaimer: I can't draw a straight line, freehand, to save my life.


The GBA Cart Shape should be the basis for the main pre-cut-out area.

Just above it should be a piece of foam that's still connected to the main foam, at three points.
The three still-connected points are roughly indicated by the three arrows.
The end-user could use a pair of scissors to snip the three points, freeing that piece of foam, and remove it from the case, so that GB/GBC carts will fit.

You might want to also put a half-circle cutout on one side of the GBA Cart Area,
so people can get a finger in there, to leverage out the game cart.

You probably already have your own design in mind; this is only a suggestion.  

EDITED TO ADD:
Here's another idea.
This one has four cut-out points, instead of 3, and has the
half-circle cutouts, to make it easier to get the games out.

What about just having one single cuttout? I think, because of the shape of the GBA cart, that one cutout will fit the GBA cart securely as well as the GameBoy/GBC carts.

[videogametrader]

Another idea, if you still want to go with gluing the Manual Sleeve in, since you are probably also going to glue the foam in too, is to cut off the part/side of the sleeve that has the holes in it (but not the pocket's seam).

Then you could put the sleeve in sideways (Rotate clockwise, 90 degrees) so that the opening in the Sleeve, for the Manual, faces the Spine of the case.
Unfortunately, this'll prolly create extra work; you might need to cut out the rings on the spine, so they won't interfere with getting the manual in and out; I'm not sure.

I'll take a look at that.

Have you looked into any places that can make the custom sized foam with the cutouts? I found a place that does it but they seem very expensive. I'm going to keep looking. If i can't get the the foam for under $0.50 each piece then i don't think it will work.

[Seymor Onion]

What about just having one single cuttout? I think, because of the shape of the GBA cart, that one cutout will fit the GBA cart securely as well as the GameBoy/GBC carts.

One cutout could work; it depends on the integrity of the type of foam ya use.
 
The motivation behind my design is a worry that the little bump-outs,
on the right and left top of the GBA,
could weaken the short-length foam corners, over time,
hence the need for more foam width along the top of the GBA Cart.
You could also use a more airy/light and less expensive foam.
I'm not sure of the price difference; it's been a while since I priced foam stuff.

Have you looked into any places that can make the custom sized foam with the cutouts? I found a place that does it but they seem very expensive. I'm going to keep looking. If i can't get the the foam for under $0.50 each piece then i don't think it will work.

Keep looking for places nearby, they should cost less than 50 cents per piece.
Some manufacturers don't have websites, so ya may need to use a phone book.
Another option is www.fabricating.com
They should be able to hook you up with a USA-Based foam manufacturer.

[videogametrader]

Ok i got the foam in. It fits perfect in the poly case. I had the prototype made so that i can also fit gamegear games. But this does leave a gap when Game Boy Carts are inserted. I think i can make a third removable foam piece that can fit the GameBoy cart properly. Also, by removing a piece of the foam, GBA carts fit nicely.

One thing i see immediately is that i want to change the orientation of the GBA cart. Anything else?

Any interest in these? I am going to try to retail the foam at $0.50 each. $1.49 with the Poly Case



GameGear Games fit nicely


GameBoy Carts fit with the smal gap - they move around a little in the case but they do stay in the square.


GameBoy Advance carts with by removing one of the foam pieces.

These are the possible ideas for the manuals. I am partial to the last picture.









Please send your suggestions. As i want to have these produced by end of June.

Thanks

[Blumpkin]

Can you just rotate the foam 90° so that GBA carts are right side up?

[videogametrader]

Can you just rotate the foam 90° so that GBA carts are right side up?

Actually, no. The foam is a rectangle and not a square so the foam wont fit the other way. However, since it is being glued down, i can always resize it and make it a little smaller as to be able to be rotated.

[Dravenae]

Awesome mate! Keep the games sat the right way up, and go with the fourth idea for the manual sleeve!